| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 67.20 |
| Liaison | Anne Duncan |
| Submission Date | Jan. 29, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Wartburg College
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Anne
Duncan Environmental Sustainability Coordinator Sustainability |
Is the institution utilizing the campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in the following areas?:
| Yes or No | |
| Air & Climate | --- |
| Buildings | Yes |
| Dining Services/Food | Yes |
| Energy | Yes |
| Grounds | Yes |
| Purchasing | Yes |
| Transportation | --- |
| Waste | Yes |
| Water | Yes |
| Coordination, Planning & Governance | Yes |
| Diversity & Affordability | --- |
| Health, Wellbeing & Work | --- |
| Investment | Yes |
| Public Engagement | --- |
| Other | Yes |
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Air & Climate and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
unknown
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Buildings and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
In 2012 a student conducted a full study of our pervious and non-pervious land. The student looked at our buildings, and measured their watershed impact. This data was reported to the sustainability department and is used regularly in metrics benchmarking.
In 2011 and 2012 many buildings had energy efficiency improvements made to them. Following, several student projects were done reviewing the impacts of the building improvements. Some projects included media attention to the improvements.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Dining Services/Food and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
At least once, but usually multiple times a year, our dining services department conducts a food waste awareness. They collect plate waste, and set it out for students to view. This campus as a living laboratory activity is a real eye opener for students and has a positive impact on our plate waste.
In November 2014 we collected all food waste for five days to determine potential for diversion. This effort received good coverage from student media.
Because of its visibility, dining is the topic of many student projects.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Energy and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
Each semester there is a student employee position which focuses on energy usage tracking. In cooperation with the sustainability department, the student also uses this data to inform the campus of use through annual energy reporting.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Grounds and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
During the 13/14 school year, three students started work on a natural resource plan. The plan is a beginning to managing campus grounds with best practices. Based on the plan, we are already planting a test prairie to explore options for no-mow-zones and planning edible landscaping.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Purchasing and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
There was a student project, based in the sustainability department, which explored the potentials of fair trade certification organizations for our college. This included our licensed items. It was determined it was not practical to join these groups, but it was certainly an educational experience.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Transportation and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
unknown
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Waste and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
Each year select sections of our first year cornerstone course participate in waste audits. The students use a class period to sort through items from dumpsters which were retrieved by the sustainability department. Items are sorted into diversion categories, measured by volume and weight. Results are shared with the classes to use in activities as planned by the faculty.
The measurements from these classes were used to establish baselines for major changes to waste management. The class projects continue to provide data after the changes to measure progress.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Water and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
We are fortunate to have an ephemeral creek running through campus and also be located in a river town. These natural bodies provide ample opportunity for faculty and their students to access water bodies for class projects and research. Past projects include water quality assessments through IOWATER, macroinvertebrate studies, and much more.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Coordination, Planning & Governance and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
Student Senate at Wartburg College is a governance body comprised of students. Like our US Senate, they each have constituents and areas the represent. The senate has made an effort to operate in a sustainable manner, using best practices for businesses. They have also chosen to invest in sustainability projects around campus.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Diversity & Affordability and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
unkown
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Health, Wellbeing & Work and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
unknown
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Investment and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
There is a course on campus which includes a student managed portfolio. investments are made using R.Paul Herman's HIP Investor framework to analyze the funds' securities.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Public Engagement and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
unknown
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory in Other areas and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
A few times a year students have the opportunity to engage in a poverty simulation. The simulation assigns roles to participants which align with agencies who serve the community, or families seeking public services. The students then role play a week in the life of a family living in poverty, trying to feed, house, and cloth their families.
This experience is very influential for students looking to go into fields of community service. It helps them understand how a series of bad events, or one poor decision can send a family into a downward spiral, and how a simple act of support can help lift them back to their feet. It helps them see, through role play, the influencing factors of poverty.
The website URL where information about the institution’s campus as a living laboratory program or projects is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.